The ground over which they were now to pass, was somewhat broken, and covered in many places with thick dwarf bushes; through these, they had with the utmost caution made their way, and were now nearing an open prairie, covered with tall grass, which lay immediately in front of the camp, and between it and the Indian town. Earth halted a moment when he beheld it, and seemed to hesitate as if doubting whether it were prudent to proceed or not. But gazing around, and seeing nothing to excite his fears, he whispered to his companions, “stoop low, and move on.” He had now continued his way some short distance further, and until a small cluster of bushes indicated that there the land was rather drier than that over which they had just been passing, and thither he bent his steps. But no sooner had he reached the little knoll upon which they grew, than stopping suddenly, he beckoned to his companions, and when they had approached him, crouched down and motioned to them to do the same. “What see you?” said Rolfe. Earth made no reply, but pressed his finger to his lips, and then raised his hand to his ear, as if endeavouring to catch some passing sound. Not a moment elapsed, before there was heard the light step of coming feet. “Lay closer down,” said Earth. The sound increased, and then died away, as though it proceeded from persons who were passing. When all seemed quiet, Earth gently raised his head, and scarcely did he do so, before he heard persons moving in another direction, and through the dim moonlight, saw a party of Indian warriors treading their way with hurried, though cautious steps, toward the camp of the whites. Then listening a moment,—“by gum, Rolfe, the prairie is nat'ally alive with them; I can hear them in every direction; we did run a great risk; they must have seen us when we crossed that piece of grass, and taken us for Ingens, I reckon.” “Oh! then I fear we shall yet be discovered,” cried Gay. “Oh, hush! Rolfe, I wish you would make her be quiet. There will be all sorts of work presently; the Ingens are moving on to attack the whites.” “Oh, God!” said Rolfe, “is it possible? may they not be reconnoitring?” “No,” answered Earth; “in a night attack they generally go off in small parties; hardly ever more than three or four at a time.” “Oh!” cried Gay, “is there no way in which we can give our friends notice? Should the Indians enter the camp while they sleep, they will all be massacred.” “This is what Oloompa meant,” said Rolfe, “when he told us to hurry away.” “Yes,” said Earth, “and we may wish we had taken his advice. I do wish those fires were out,—hush!” and at that moment, two Indians were seen to glide by, within rifle shot:—“Look at them,” continued Earth, “there can be no mistake, and I am not sure but that the camp is surrounded before this.” “Is there no way,” repeated Gay, “in which we can warn the whites of their danger?”